News

Chief petitioners for Initiative Petitions 1 and 9—the anti-worker initiatives—as well as the chief petitioners for several revenue-raising initiatives, have withdrawn their proposed initiatives for the 2014 ballot.

Governor Kitzhaber worked with business and labor leaders to have the initiatives removed in order to move forward with revenue reform efforts to fund public services. We have the third largest class sizes in the nation and essential support services in our schools are cut to the bone. Oregon ranks the fifth lowest in higher education funding, with that burden being shifted to

Members from Local 111 (PFSP), AFT-Oregon Retirees and AFT Local 5017 (OFNHP) helped to make Presents from Partners’ Holiday Toy Drive a smashing success. Over 240 kids participated this year. Many are homeless, or their families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, with little opportunities.

“I feel so fortunate that we are able to take part in this event each year. It truly represents the spirit of the season when you see the joy on the faces of these children, who have so little, as they meet Santa, stuff stockings and choose gifts for themselves and their parents,” shared Belinda

Local 6069 (CGE), with help from Local 3544 (GTFF) members raised a record $5555.55 for the Linn-Benton food share this fall at the annual Civil War Brew-Off. CGE organizes and hosts the annual event as a fun way to network with other graduate employees and show-off their beer brewing talents, while benefiting needy families in the area.

“As federal cuts to SNAP funding and the oncoming winter put extra pressure on charities like the Food Share, being able to help them serve our community is a tremendous thing. Major hats off to the Brew-Off committee; they must have used magical elves to pull

Local 6020 (AFTOCUE): Classified employees at Oregon Coast Community College won their first contract since joining Local 6020 (AFTOCUE) last summer. The new two-year agreement includes two additional salary steps and cost-of-living increases for both years.

Classified employees also achieved better vacation accrual, an additional paid holiday, and procedures for grievances, layoff/recall, and discipline or dismissal with just cause.
Kimberly Jones, bargaining team member said she’s pleased that the college approved the contract, but more excited by recent new members to the union.

“Nearly three

“Joining the union was the only solution,” said Tim Burgard, one of the newest members to the Local 4912 (LCCSSA) bargaining unit of his reason for pursuing union representation for nine the LCC Campus Safety officers, and four dispatchers who work in his department. Despite his longtime union membership in previous careers, this is the first time he has been an active member. After seeing the need to be included in the union, he jumped in with both feet, leading the effort to join Local 4912.

“We had no protections that other employees enjoyed—we were strictly at-will, where the other

Local 3571 (PSUFA): After months of difficult negotiations, PSU Adjunct Faculty ratified a new contract with significant increases in benefits.

“Despite claims from management that budget cuts are imminent, we secured a significant raise, as well as increases to our professional development fund, and some important protections for Adjuncts,” said Kelly Cowan, Local 3571 (PSUFA) President.

Highlights include up to 3% increases in salary each year of the contract, based on minimum per credit and hourly rates.  A win for the union was an increase in the university’s contribution of $40,000 per year

AFT-Oregon member Michael Dembrow was sworn in as state senator by Governor John Kitzhaber on Wednesday, November 20, 2013. Dembrow was appointed Monday by the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners to fill the vacant seat in Senate District 23, representing portions of NE and SE Portland.
 
“We are excited to welcome Michael Dembrow to the Senate,” said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn). “He’s an accomplished legislator with a wide range of legislative experience. Expectations are going to be high. I am confident he will be an outstanding Senator.”
 
Dembrow was first

AFT-Oregon gathered faculty, students, staff, union and community advocates to brainstorm on ways to help solve the dire problem of rising student debt, as the state continues the trend of disinvestment in Oregon’s public higher education institutions. The session was part of AFT-Oregon’s effort to engage the public and elected leaders in finding a solution to this issue which affects our workplaces, communities and economy.

“The rapid response and participation in our event by all who were invited is a testament to how serious this problem is for all Oregonians. AFT-Oregon’s goal is to

Dear Members,

After slashing PERS benefits by $800-million last spring, Oregon’s legislature has added insult to injury this week by making additional cuts to cost-of-living (COLA) adjustments for PERS retirees in a special session called by Governor Kitzhaber. Overtime, these laws will raid PERS pensions of $4.6 billion in benefits and create a future of uncertainty for seniors who held up their end of the bargain by working hard to provide quality education and other vital public services for our communities.

We realize that our schools, colleges and universities are underfunded – class sizes

Sitton Elementary School in North Portland is one of 21 schools nationwide to receive a $5,000 AFL-CIO Adopt-A-School grant. During a presentation to the school, Diane Newton-Prior, one of the Local 111 (PFSP) members who work at the school, expressed her gratitude to the AFL-CIO on behalf of classified staff and teachers.

“We are very honored and will put the money to good use,” said Newton-Prior, who is a library assistant at the school. “At a low income school, every penny counts, and there are many ways we can use the grant.”

AFL-CIO Adopt-a-School grant program is designed to provide